FRENCH STAR PROVES FIRST CLASS AT SCHOOL First Gold delighted Francois Doumen in a schooling session today, 48 hours ahead of his tilt at the Pertemps King George VI Chase. The French raider, reported none the worse for Saturday`s ferry trip to Britain, is second favourite for the Boxing Day feature which his trainer has won four times in the past. He has never raced over British fences before but came smoothly through a tryout at Kempton today. Clerk of the course and former jump jockey Brian Clifford said: 'Thierry Doumen rode him and he schooled over a couple of fences. He did very well and they were all very, very pleased with him.' First Gold, rated France`s top chaser, will be bidding to emulate his trainer`s past King George winners Algan, Nupsala and The Fellow, who won the mid-season staying chasers` championship event twice. Doumen has also brought over stable-companion Facts or Fiction, who had the benefit of 'inside information' as he warmed up for a handicap hurdle on Tuesday`s card. 'I rode him out myself and schooled him over a couple of hurdles, just to keep my eye in!' Clifford said. Clifford is confident that the Boxing Day meeting will beat any threat from the weather. 'We had 2mm of rain overnight and the forecast for the next 24 hours is that we could get up to 5mm to 10mm but that is the top end,' he said. 'There is a frost forecast for Christmas night and we will take precautions and cover up the exposed areas but it is forecast to get up to 4C or 5C on Boxing Day and we would be unlucky to get any problems.'
